Education Under Fire: Examining The Effects Of Violence On Palestinian Students

[Virtual Presenter] Good morning everyone. Today we are here to discuss and examine the effects of violence on Palestinian students. We will look at the challenges these students are facing the psychological and social impacts of violence the destruction of educational facilities the shortage of qualified educators and how we can rebuild educational infrastructure for a hopeful future. This presentation will aim to provide an overview of the current situation in order to gain a better understanding of the effects of violence and the educational needs of Palestinian students. Let's begin..

[Audio] Violence of all kinds can be incredibly damaging to people and communities. In Palestine the education system has been particularly affected by violence creating a dangerous and hostile setting for pupils teachers and educational structures. In the following we will investigate the challenging conditions Palestinian pupils find themselves in as well as the psychological and social effects of all the violence destruction of learning facilities and the lack of capable teachers. Additionally we will discuss the various approaches taken to reconstruct educational infrastructure with a view to creating a better future for these students..

[Audio] As we acknowledge the hardships of Palestinian students it is important to recognize the many difficulties they are forced to endure. Violence of any form should not be tolerated yet sadly these young individuals are subjected to physical or psychological danger when attempting to pursue their education. The extensive ramifications of such threats can be hugely detrimental to their futures. Not only does this create a precarious learning environment but also further limits their educational opportunities due to fear of travelling or attending school. The injustice of students being detained for protesting makes it even more difficult for students to feel safe and trust educational institutions. It is essential that we recognize the effects of this violence and take steps to ensure a secure atmosphere for learning..

[Audio] Occupation of Palestinian areas has caused great psychological damage to young people. A number of studies indicate that children and adolescents in Gaza display extreme levels of post-traumatic stress disorder depression and anxiety. Many have experienced severe psychological trauma and have observed it in others leading to a disregard for their mental health. It is necessary to take into account the psychological consequences of the conflict when assessing the impact of violence on Palestinian students..

[Audio] Education has always been a fundamental right yet for many children across the Palestinian region access to quality education has been denied due to the ongoing violence. Over 55% of schools require reconstruction or major repairs and with limited access to electricity and the internet alternative education is nearly impossible. This presents a national crisis within the educational system which merits urgent attention. We must continue to work together to ensure all children are afforded the same opportunities to gain a quality education no matter their environment or circumstances..

[Audio] Palestinian students are facing increasingly difficult conditions in terms of their mental health due to the ongoing violence and conflict in the region. Latest statistics show that over half of Palestinian children are reporting levels of emotional distress and the same percentage of caregivers are reporting routine unhappiness. Furthermore children are displaying increasingly self-harming behaviors and demonstrating signs of depression. This comes as a result of the extreme conditions Palestinian students are living and learning in. Despite this many remain resilient determined to pursue their education and knowledge proving an unwavering commitment to learning..

[Audio] As we can see Palestinian students are facing a significant challenge in achieving a quality education. Schools are often overcrowded with not enough qualified teachers or educational support staff leading to an educational crisis. This is exacerbated by longstanding educational shortcomings that have continued to affect both Palestinian students and teachers. We must take steps to ensure that students in Palestine are able to receive the quality education they deserve..

[Audio] Palestinian students are vulnerable to violence when seeking education causing psychological and physical harm with long-term implications. Consequently the international community should support students by reconstructing educational infrastructure damaged by violence and devising comprehensive interventions to help guarantee a brighter future for Palestinian youth. To create a more secure and positive atmosphere to enable students to learn and develop unhindered decisive action must be taken..

[Audio] Violence against Palestinians in the Occupied Territory has long-term negative impacts on the physical and mental health of students. Research shows that these students are more likely to report post-traumatic stress disorder depression anxiety and other mental health challenges. Additionally children living in occupied territories are more likely to experience negative social impacts such as obstacles to accessing education and decreased social support which in turn can cause educational and psychological distress..

[Audio] As teachers in Higher Education it is our responsibility to make sure our students are safe and supported throughout their educational experience. Unfortunately this is not the case for many Palestinian students who are facing violence in their daily lives. Studies have proven that the continuous conflict in Palestine has led to an increase in post-traumatic stress disorder depression and anxiety among Palestinian youth in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore a major portion of the population suffers from their own traumatic events and from witnessing trauma in other individuals with over half of the population possibly diagnosed with PTSD. We have an obligation to do what we can to address these problems so that our students can reach their best potential and be successful..

[Audio] Palestinian students face considerable challenges in their daily lives with Save the Children research indicating that up to 80% of children suffer from depression grief and fear a 25% increase from 2018. Caregivers too have reported unhappiness and anxiety. One case serves to illustrate the effects of violence on a child's well-being. The same research shows that 47% of the population in Gaza are children with over half having contemplated suicide and 60% engaging in self-harming behavior. This violence has a serious impact on their lives and affects their ability to learn something educators must take into account..

[Audio] The destruction of educational facilities has been a recurring issue for Palestinian students since the conflict in the region began in the late 19th century. Physical destruction of school buildings and closure of universities have made it difficult for students to receive an education. In recent years Israeli authorities have destroyed or damaged nearly 200 Palestinian schools and dozens of universities leading to fewer educational opportunities especially for those from vulnerable backgrounds. This has in turn exacerbated the already high levels of poverty and unemployment in the region..

[Audio] Violence in Palestine has had a devastating effect on Palestinian education. Since the beginning of the conflict Israeli Defense Forces have targeted schools including elementary secondary and post-secondary institutions. In October 2020 this targeting has only increased. According to the Global Education Cluster 55% of schools in Gaza need either complete reconstruction or major repairs to become functional again. This violence has had major impacts on Palestinian students; the following slides explore the effects of this violence on their education..

[Audio] Although winter is a time of joy for many for students in Palestine it paints a different picture. Anera as reported by ReliefWeb states that due to Israeli military action over 625000 students and 22000 teachers in Gaza have had their education and safety compromised leading to numerous casualties and extensive damage of almost 76% of all school buildings..

[Audio] Examining the effects of violence on Palestinian students caused by Hamas usage of schools we will explore how it compromises safety and security. This includes two documented occasions of munitions storage in 2014. Additionally e-learning has been difficult due to limited access to electricity and the internet as well as the lack of permanent housing and safe places for displaced children to complete their schooling. Taking a closer look at this important and complex issue will help to gain a better understanding..

[Audio] Recent reports indicate that the teacher-student ratio in Palestinian schools is alarmingly high at 1:50 far below the desired 1:25. This shortage of qualified educators is having a detrimental effect on education standards and the overall quality of the Palestinian education system. The growing problem is being exacerbated by the ongoing violence and displacement of teachers and students in Palestinian schools..

[Audio] Examining the effects of violence on Palestinian students an issue of major concern is the shortage of qualified educators and educational support staff due to the ongoing conflict and disruptions in the region. This leads to a decline in education quality making it hard for educational institutions to preserve the essential standards for teaching and learning. Additionally it puts a lot of pressure on the current workforce generating a high rate of employee turnover and burnout. This has severe repercussions for Palestinian students and the future of instruction in general..

[Audio] Slide 18 of this presentation looks at the challenge Palestinian teachers were faced with during the first ten years of occupation class sizes grew while there was a lack of trained teachers. The Palestine-Israel Journal put it this way: "No new schools were built during the first 10 years of Occupation and very few have been built since then. Thus the expansion of school facilities and the hiring of additional teachers did not keep pace with the dramatic growth in the student population." Moving on the next slide looks at how natural ingredients can offer nourishment hydration anti-aging and anti-acne benefits..

[Audio] We will discuss current challenges facing educators in the Palestinian territories and the effects of violence on students. In the already difficult situation in the Gaza Strip external factors further complicate the situation. Notably a severe shortage of 800 teachers and administrative staff exists. Since 2007 the Hamas government has been behind job losses for teachers preventing full recovery of the profession. Also there is no budget for substitute teachers inadequate transportation funds and missed salaries. All this has important implications on Palestinian student education. Moving on to the next slide..

[Audio] In Gaza the situation is dire. Since October 7 2024 5379 students and 255 educational staff have been killed. This has caused great disruption to education in the region and a major loss of qualified professionals due to injury or death. This means fewer resources for students and an uncertain future for those attempting to pursue their education..

[Audio] This section aims to examine the effects of growing violence in the region on Palestinian students. We will delve into the consequences of demolishing educational amenities the effect of relocation on learners and the growing number of school closures. By analyzing the data we can start to come up with solutions to restore and bolster the educational system and grant Palestinian students better prospects for a brighter future..

[Audio] The violence faced by Palestinian students is devastating and it is essential to restore educational opportunities in order to provide access to quality education and create a better future for the region. In the following slide we will analyze the potential of wind energy as a reliable and sustainable energy source..

[Audio] Despite the violence and challenges they face Palestinian students are tenaciously striving for a brighter future one in which education is a key element fostering knowledge values of justice and equality. Empowering our young generation is crucial so they may become the architects of a more peaceful and equitable society. The future of Palestine lies in the education of its youth. Thank you for your attention..